Vending machine



Oct. 21, 1 930.

G. E. NORRIS VENDING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet l G. E.NORRIS VENDING MACHINE Oct. 21, 1930.

Filed March 13, 1928 '7 Sheets-;Sheet 2 F'IGQJi gwomtoz Oct. 21, 1930.G. g, NORM 1,778,833

VENDING MACHI NE Filed March 15, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 21, 1930.

E. NORRIS VENDING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Pia.

gwuwwfov Oct. 21, 1930.

G. E. NORRIS VENDING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct.21, 1930. G. E. NORRIS '7 1 1,778,833

- VENDING MACHINE Filed'Mafch 15, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 attoznclqPatented Oct. 21, 1930 PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. NORRIS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIOVENDING MACHINE Application filed March 18, 1928. Serial No. 261,202.

This invention relates to improvements in coin controlled vendingmachines, and has for a primary object the provision of positive andimproved vending mechanism wherein is embodied a plurality ofselectively operable vendors, which have their operation governed by asingle coin controlling means.

Anotherv object of the invention resides in a vending machine whereinupon the deposit '10 of a proper coin the operation of any one of themultiple vendors may be effected but wherein after such operation hasbeen initiated, the remaining vendors will be maintaine loizkedagainstoperation until a full cycle of a operation on the part of the selectedvendor has been completed. A further object of the invention resides inthe provision of a vending machine constructed particularly for thedispensing of substantially cylindrical objects and wherein a rotatabletrough member,

' which rocks about a horizontal axis, is provided in the extreme lowerpart of each of a plurality of article receiving compartments, in orderthat the articles to be dispensed may be 5 fed by gravity into thetrough members,

which are normally held in locked position,

but which, upon the operation of the coin con-- trolling mechanism, maybe released so that said trough members may be revolved to discharge asingle article from each 'compart ment while at the same time sustainingthe main bodies of such articles arranged in the compartments above thetrough members.

There are many other important objects of the present invention as wellas unusual features of construction and design which may be readilyunderstood by reference to the following description and to theaccompanying drawings, wherein: p a

Figure I is' a front elevation of a vending machine constructed inaccordance'with the present invention, Figure 2 is a detail verticalsectional'view disclosing the article receiving compartments and therevolving trough members provided I in the bottoms thereof, V Figure 3is a view in elevation looking toward the rear of the vending and coincon- 5 trolling mechanism, disclosing more particu controllingmechanism,

larly the mechanism for governing the release and locking of the troughmembers,

Figure 4 is a similar view of the sliding master bar which governs theoperation of the multiple vendors and illustrating, also, thesupplemental locking means for limiting the operation of the machine toput a single trough member upon any given cycle of operation,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the mechanism disclosed in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional 1 View through one of therotatable trough members and the mechanism connected therewith forgoverning or permitting of rotation, thereof,

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the vendingmachine casing and disclosing in front elevation the coin controllingmechanism, v

' Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane indicatedby the line 8-8 of Figure 7 v a Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view onthe plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 7 Figure 10 is a verticalsectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 10-10 of Figure7,

Figure 11-is a plan view of the structure disclosed in Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the locking bar and thecooperative coin controlled mechanism,

Figure 13 is a view in end elevation of the coin controlling mechanismas seen from the left of Figure 12,

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line14-14 of Figure 13, v

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view on the plane indicated by theline 15-15 of Figure 12, looking in the direction indicated by thearrows,

" Figure 16 is a detail perspective view of one of the revolving troughmembers,

Figures 17 to 21 inclusive are pers ective views showing the variousparts of t e coin Figure 22 is a perspe tive view of the lockmg bar, l0

locking fingers, Figure 24 is an elevation of the inner s de of one ofthe removable disks used in connection with the revolving troughs.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the numeral 1 designates thecasing of the Vending machine comprising the present invention. In theparticular form of the invention here disclosed, the casing is of boxlike form and includes a front wall 2 provided with a transparent panel3 through which the contents of the machine may be viewed, as indicatedin Figure 1.

Arranged within the casing 1 is a frame structure 4 which supports aplurality of vertically disposed transversely extending walls, which arerelatively spaced to produce a plurality of vertically extending articleor commodity receiving compartments 5. In this instance the compartmentsare constructed forthe reception of tubular containers 6 in which themerchandise to be dispensed is received. It will be understood that thismerchandise .may be of any suitable character, such as articles ofconfectionery, wearing apparel, tobacco and et cetera. I prefer to usethe cylindrical container, however, since it simplifies and improves theconstruction and operation of the dispensing or vending mechanism properand possesses many advantages over the ordinary rectangular type of boxor package. The containers are grouped in vertical order within theseveral compartments and if desired the front wall 2, above the panel 3,may be provided with suitable indicia pointing out the grade orcharacter of, the merchandise contained within the containers of eachcompartment. Any suitable number of the containers are disposed withineach compartment and as the containers are dispensed by the operation ofthe machine, such containers gravitate toward the bottom of thecompartment 5, providing a gravity feedwhich is both simple andpositive. The panel 3 permits the containers within each compartment tobe viewed by the purchaser and also enables the latter to note any emptycompartment or compartments.

Arranged within the bottom of each compartment is a revolving holder ortrough 7.

Each of these holders or troughs, as shown in Figure 2, is ofsemi-circular form and of a diameter conformable to that of thecontainer 6 which it dispenses. container is received within the holderor trough and through the provision of correlated apparatus, controlledby a coin. the trough may be rotated about its longitudinal axis so asto effect the discharge of such containers.

To effect the removable support of each of the holders or troughs 7, theframe structure 4 is provided with spaced front and rear' The lowermostwalls Sand 9 respectively. The front wall with a slot 10 having anenlarged centrally located bearing portion 11. Receivable within thisbearing portion is the operating shaft 12 which projects axially andforwardly from each holder. The extreme forward end of the shaft 12 isprovided with a flattened linger engaging web 13 which is arranged tothe exterior of the machine, as shown in Figure I 1, and may be grippedby the operator or customer for the purpose of revolving a selectedholder. It will be observed that the slot 10 possesses slightly greaterproportions than the shaft 12 and the bar 13. This is done in ordertopermit of the removal of the holder from its operative position withinthe frame structure, the slot 10 allowing the parts 12 and 13 to bemoved rearwardly through the front wall 8.

The rear wall 9 of the frame structure, in registration with each of theholders, is provided with a circular opening 14 which possesses adiameter exceeding that of the circular front and rear walls of theholder or trough 7. Receivable within each of the openings 14 is aremovable disk 15, which has its periphery provided with a circularrecess 16 which is adapted to register with a corresponding recessprovided in the rear wall 9. When the recesses 16 are in registration acircular opening is produced which serves as a bearing for the receptionof the trunnion stud 17 which projects axially and rearwardly from eachof the holders. Each of the plates or disks 15 has its peripheryprovided with outwardly projecting beads 18, receivable withcorresponding sockets formed in the rear Wall 9. serve to securelyposition the disks 15 so that the recess 16 therein will register withthe corresponding recess in the rear wall 9. To hold the disk 15 withinthe opening 14 there is provided for each disk a pivoted keeper 19,which resiliently engages one face of each d-isk so as topress thelatter securely within its seated position within the opening 14. .Itwill be seen by rotating the keeper 19 to a position free of itsparticular disk 15, the latter may ,be-removed from its operativeposition Within the opening 14. The removal of the disk 15 then permitsthe holder or trough 7 to be slipped longitudinally The beads 18 andrearwardly out of its supported posi- 7 one end of each spring beingconnected with one of the pawls 21 and the other end with posts whichproject outwardly from the rear wall 9. The springs 22 thus serve tomaintain the pawls 21 normally in substantial .vertical positions. Theholders or troughs 7 are normally maintained in the position disclosedin Figure 2, by the provision of 'tor-. sion springs 23. These springssurround the stud 17 and have one end of each thereof bearing upon a lug24 integrally formed "in' connection with each of the ratchet members20. The opposite end of each spring is connectedwith an outstanding foot25' provided upon each of the keepers 19. It will thus be seen that thesprings 23 serve to rotate the holders or troughs so that the lug 26,provided upon each of said holders will engage with the lower edges ofthe division walls 27 which separate the compartments 5. When rotatedeach holder is moved against the resistance offered by its spring 23,the balance of the holders remaining stationary.

When the holders 7 are rotated to discharge a container it will beobserved, by reference to Figure 2, that owing to the cross sectionalformation of each holder, the latter will act to permit of the dischargeof but one container and when in a discharg-.

ing position the back or bottom of the holder will aet'to support thecontainers disosed thereabove. .It will be appreciated that the lugs 26also act to limit the rotation of each holder when the latter isrevolved to a discharging. position, limiting the rotation of the holderto an arc of substantial.- ly 180 degrees. The discharged container isallowed to drop to the bottom of, the casing 1 where it canbe readilyreached through an opening provided in the front wall 2 below theholders.

Each of the studs 17 to the rear of the ratchet member 20 is providedwith a web 28 formed to include opposed plane surfaces 29 and 30.Normally arranged to engage with the surfaces 30 of the webs 28 are theside edges of pivotally depending locking fingers 21. These fingers aremounted for swinging movement about horizontally disposedstudsprojecting from the rear wall 9 of the frame structure. Theintermediate portion of the fingers 31 are of such width that the sideedges'of 'the fingers engage totally with the surfaces 30 of the webs 28but not with the surfaces 29 of said webs. The extreme lower end of thelocking fingers are widened to produce shoulders 32 which engage withone another, as shown in Figure 3, so that when oscillatory motion isimparted to one ofsaid fingers corresponding motion will be imparted toall.

One of the fingers 31, preferably the finger at the extreme right whenlooking towards the rear of the machine, is provided with an upstandingarm 33. The upper end of this arm engages with a lug 34 which projectsoutwardly and laterally from-a locking bar 35. This bar contiguous toits ends is provided with elongated slots for the reception of headedscrews 36, which are carried by the frame structure 4 and serve tosupport the lockin bar for limited sliding movement in a longitudinaldirection. The bar 35, midway of its length, is provided with a hook 37with which is engaged'one end of a-coil spring 38, the opposite end ofsaid spring being connected with a stationary hook 39 formed inconneetion'with the rear wall 9. The normal tendency of the spring 38 isto force the bar 35 rearw ardly. This results in imparting swingingmovement to all of the fingers '31 by reason of the arm 33 and the leg34. In this manner the spring 38 serves to retain the locking fingersnormally in engagement with the surfaces 30 of the web 28.

In order to prevent sliding movement of the locking bar except upon theinsertion of a proper coin, there is pivoted as at 40 upon the side wall41 of the frame structure .4 a pivoted detent 42. The longer arm'42 ofthis detent extends through an opening in the side wall 41 and occupiesa horizontal so that no merchandise will be then released fromthe'machine. The detent 42 is pivoted as at 40 u on a vertical shaftwhich is carried by a pair of laterally projecting ears 46 formed withthe side wall 41 and arranged in vertically spaced'relationship, thedetent swinging in a horizontal plane about the axis of the pin carriedby said ears.

Adjacent to its pivotal axis the detent is provided with a rearwardlyand laterally extending foot 47 which, by means of a spring 48, ispressed constantly into engagement with an upstanding finger 49 formedat the extreme forward end 0 the locking bar 35. Thus when the lockingbar is-sli-dably moved in a forward direction the foot 47, responding tothe influence of the spring 48, follows the finger 49 of the lockingbar, and this al.- lows the arm 42 of the detent to oscillate intoengagement with the first shoulder 44,

thus locking the bar 35 and its associated mechanism against furtheractuation.

In order to permit of full operation on the part of the locking bar andthe release of merchandise from any one of the compartments 5, there isprovided a coin pocket in the wall 41 in registration with the detent 42which is so disposed that when the pocket receives acoin of the properdenomination, the coin will be momentarily arrested so as to be in aposition of registration in relation to the shorter arm 50 of the detent42. The extreme outer end of the arm 50 is provided with a beveled nose51 which is adapted to engage with the side wall of the coin 52 arrangedwithin the pocket. By this arrangement, when the coin is positioned asshown, forward movement of the locking bar results in the advance of thefinger 49 but the movement of the foot 47 of the detent in followingsaid finger is limited by reason of the contact of the nose 51 with theside of the coin 52. Therefore, oscillatory movement on the part of thelonger arm 42 of the detent ispreeluded, so that the extreme outer endof the arm 42 will not come in contact with the first shoulder 44, as isthe case when no coin is disposed within the pocket. Thus, the lockingbar may continue its movement free of the shoulder 44 moving past theouter end of the arm 42 until the outer end of said arm comes intocontact with the second or more-remote shoulder 45. This movement,however, on the part of the locking bar allows the fingers 31 tooscillate sufliciently so that one of the holders 7 may be rotatedthrough an arc of substantially 180 degrees to permit of the dischargeof one of the containers 5. It will be appreciated that when one of theholders is being rotated, as thus described, the remaining holders arelocked against rotation by the position of the fingers 31 which aremoved to engage with the surfaces 29 of the webs 28 of the remainingholders. By this arrangement the machine is limited in any one cycle ofmovement to the operation of but a single holder, thus preventingaccidental or unauthorized actuation of more than one of said holders.

After the deposit of a proper coin and initial rotation on the part of aselected holder, it is impossible to reverse the operation of theselected holder until the container carried thereby has been releasedfrom the machine and-full actuation of the holder obtained. This is dueto the inclusion of the pivoted pawls 21, which cooperate with theratchet members 20 so as to prevent rearward movement of the holdersuntil after said holders have been fully rotated to a merchandisedischarging position. At this timethe pawl will drop down to a. verticalposition, under the influence of its spring 22 so that the ratchetmember may then-move in the opposite direction. As soon as this returnmovement, however, has been initiated the pawl again cooperates withsaid ratchet member to prevent the return of the holder to a dischargingposition. The pawls, therefore, serve to compel the operator to move theselected holder from one extreme position to the other and preventduplication of movement on the part of the holder between these twoextreme positions.

As an additional safeguard for the purpose of preventing actuation ofmore than one of the troughs or holders upon the insertion of a singlecoin, there is p ovided a supplemental locking mechanism disclosedparticularly in Figure 4. This supplemental locking mechanism comprisesa dog 53, which is pivoted as at 54 about the upper part of the backWall 9. Co-operative with the dog 53 is a locking pawl 55, which ispivoted as at 56 on the wall 9. Connecting adjoining ends of the dog 53and the pawl is a coil spring 57 The dog 53 is provided with a foot 58which is adapted to be forced into engagement with a shouldered abutment59 provided in connection with one end of the locking bar 35. hen thelocking bar is moved to an extreme forward position and the movementthereof is limited by the engagen'ient of the arm 42 with the shoulder45, the foot 58 will engage with the upper surface of the abutment 59.Then, upon the return of the locking bar to a retreated or normalposition the foot 58 engages with a shoulder 60 provided upon saidabutment and prevents return movement of the locking bar in a forward oradvance position. The engagement of the foot 58 with the shoulder 60occurs just at the time the pawl 21 is being released from engagementwith the ratchet member 20 upon the returnmovement of the holderfollowing release of a container. Further return movement of the lockingbar permits the engagement of a lug 61 on said bar with an arm 62 of thedog 53. This results in elevating the foot 58 so as to remove the barfrom engagement with the dog. The dog is maintained in its elevatedposition by means of the pawl 55, which under the influence of thespring 57, swings-about its pivot 56 so that the shoulder 63 on saidpawl will engage with the foot 58 to retain the dog in an elevated orinactive position. The dog is held in this position during forwardmovement of the locking bar and is not released until the abutment 59contacts with the extreme lower end of the pawl 55 for the purpose ofreleasing the foot 58 from engagement with the shoulder 60. The foot ofthe dog then engages with the upper surface of the abutment 59 beyondthe shoulder 60 in order that the dog will be in position to also by aseparable side plate 66,. the latter slug being fastened to the wall 41by means of screws indicated at 67. Adjacent to the guide the plate 66is cut away as at 68 for the reception of a movable wall 69. This wallis pivotally mounted forswinging movement about a horizontally disposedshaft 70, which is carried. by registering ears 71 provided inconnection with the wall 41 and the plate or wall 69. Also carried bythe shaft'70 is a swinging magnet of the permanent type as indicated at72. The magnet has an independent swinging movement with respect to thewall 69, but a spring-'7 3 co-operates with said magnet so as to forcethe lower portion there- "of normally into engagement with the wall Inthe event a slug of iron or steel is placed into the'guide 65 suchv slug'willjbe held in engagement with the inner surface ofthe wall 69byreason of the influence of the magnet 72. In order'to discharge thisslug without permittingit to enter into the operating mechanism of themachine use is made of a lever 74 whichis pivotall mount- ,ed as at 75on the side wall 41. T e upper end of this lever en ages with anoutstanding finger 76 forme in connection with the magnet 72 and it willbe seen that when the lever 74 is oscillated it will cause the wall 69and the magnet 72 to move in unison away from the side wall 41. Theswinging movement of the-wall 69 is limited bythecontact of the lowerportion of said wall with a stop 77 formed by the side plate 66.Furtherswinging movement on the lever re-' sults in moving the magnetaway from the wall 69. This further swinging movement on the partlof themagnet releases the slug from the influence thereof and allows said todrop into the open throat 78 formed by the plate 66. The throat 78 issituated on the upper end of a slug return chute 79 which has an outlet80 in the front wall of the machine casing. It will be understood thatthe lever 74 is oscillated by the operation of the locking bar 35,whichco-operates with the lower end of said vlever, as shown P in Figure7 An ordinary coin, which is formed from a more precious metal, is notaffected by the magnet 72, magnet and rolls down the inclined guide 65.This guide terminates in a strai ht vertically extending portion 81, atthe ass of which is a block of metal 82, which is usually castintegrally with the side wall 41. This block is provided with aninclined upper surface 83 upon which the coin sharply strikes as itfalls through the vertical portion of the coin guide or chute. In eventa lead slug or a slug of soft metal which is not affected by the magnet72, drops upon the block 82, the elasticity of the material comprisingsuch a slug results in but a slight or small bounce on the part of suchand therefore passes said P allows the material to be discharged fromslu which causes the same. to dropfinto ailf out et guide 84 leading tothe slug return 80. However, a coin of a more preciousmetal havmggreater elasticity, upon istriking theblock 82 rebounds or bounces awayfrom said block at an angle of substantially,

45 degrees to an extent sufficient to enable the coin t clear an uprightrib 85 formed ln'connection' with the side wall 41, permitting of thedeposition of the coin within the.

Within the pocket 52' the coin "52 then occupiesa'position permitting ofthe actuation and release of the locking bar 35 as previously described.pocket 52' is formed by means of a gate 86 which occupies a, re-

cess 87 formed in the plate 66. The gate 86 is pivotallyvsusp'ended froma shaft 88 carried by a with the side surface of thegate 86 registers"with coin guide ribs 89 provided in connection with air ofearsformedfinj connection plate 66. Normally the inner the side wall 41 thegate beingmamtained I in engagement with'theribsby mean's of a'jj spring90. e y

To limit the movement" of the coin within thepocket 52 a vertical shaft91' carried by the ears ing arm 92, ly directed nose 93, the'latterbeing'lreceived directly within. the coin guide. x the positionof the nose93 andthe rib 89 is such of the coin employedto actuate thethe spacing being slightly less width of the coin chute. By thisconstructionwhen the coin bounces from the block 82 it is retainedmomentarily in s'aidpocketby the position of'the nose 93. The arm 92 ismachine,

normally maintained in this position by the medium of a spring 94.

It will be understood that when the coin is seated within the pocket 52and is retained by the nose 93, the holdersmay then be rotated so as toeffect the reciprocation of the locking bar. Full reciprocation on theart of the locking bar may be obtained by virtue of the fact that thedetent 42 has its shorter arm 50 arranged in contact with the coin 52disposed within the ocket.

ermits of full operation of t e holder and the machine which has beenpurchased. As previously explained, in advancing the looking bar 36 witha coin in position, the longer arm 42' of the detent contacts with thesecond shoulder 45. Since the pivotal portion of the detent is providedwith a slot 95 continued forward movement of the locking bar alsoadvances the detent longitudinally in ment of the detent longitudinallywhen engaged with the shoulder, 45 results-first in moving the nose 51away from the coin 52.

than the 46 carries a horizontally swmgwhich terminates' n an inwardasto be slightly less than the: diameter unison therewith a distance equalsubstantially to the length of the slot 95. v The move- At the same timethe pivotal portion of the detent strikes a laterally offset arm 96formed integrally with the gate 86, thus swinging the gate slightlyabout the axis of its shaft 88. This swinging movement of the gate istransmitted to the arm 92, swinging the latter about its pivot sharplyso that the nose portion 93 thereof is moved away from the coin guidefor the purpose of allowing the coin to drop upon a stud 97.

This stud is carried by a swinging yoke 98 which is pivoted upon avertical shaft 99 carried by the side wall 41. Normally a spring 100serves to maintain the stud 97 out of the coin chute, but provided onthe locking bar 35 is a lug 101 which engages with the yoke 98 to hold.the stud 97 free of the coin slot or chute. However, upon forwardmovement of the locking bar the lug is moved out of engagement with theyoke which permits the spring 100 to act on said yoke in order that thestud 97 will be positioned within the coin chute to support the coinmomentarily before its discharge. The yoke 98 also carries a second stud102 which is arranged above the first stud 97. The second stud 102 alsoenters the coin chute to prevent a second coin from being dropped intothe pocket .52 while thelatter is occupied by a coin employed to actuatethe machine.

Upon the return of thelocking bar to a normal position the stud 97 isretreated which allows the coin to roll down the bottom of the coinchute into a coin box 103. This box is situated immediately to the rearof a Window 104 formed in the front wall of the casing 1 and by thisarrangement the operator of the machine can see the coin which he hasemployed in effecting any given operation. The bottom of the box 103 isprovided with a swinging-door 105, journaled for-rotation about ahorizontal shaft 106 carried in connection with the side wall 41. Theshaft 106 is formed with slug 107 arranged for engagement with adepending arm 108 integrally formed with the locking bar 35. Thus uponeach subsequent operation of the machine'the coin received within the.box 103 is released and allowed to fall into a main coin receptaclearranged within the casing.

As shown in Figure 17, there is provided a rock'member 109 which isprovided with a hub portion 110 received for rotation abouttheupstanding shaft 91; The member'109 is provided with a laterallyprojecting finger 111 which engages normally with the upstanding arm 49formed upon the end of the master bar 35. The member 109 is furtherformed with an inwardly extending crank arm 112, which is arranged toproject through the wall 41 and is connected with the spring 100, asshown in Figure 12. The spring serves to rotate the member 109 so that acurved finger, indicated at 113 in Figure 17 will enter the coin chuteimmediately a'dj acent to the swinging gate 86. The position of thefinger 113 is such that normally it does not interfere with the droppingof the coin 52 into the operative position shown by dotted line inFigure 13. In the event, however, that two coins are dropped into thecoin chute at practically the same time and be fore the stop 102 becomeseffective, such coins will be deposited one upon the other in the coindelivery chute immediately back of the gate 86. Under this conditionwhen the locking bar is advanced the member 109 swings by reason of theinfluence of the spring 100, so that the curved finger 113 willfrictionally grip or engage with the upper of said coin, holding thelatter stationary or inoperative during the desired operation of themachine with the lower coin. Then upon the return of the machine tonormalv the-finger 113 is operated to release the temporarily held coinso that the latter operating position.

In View of the foregoing it will be seen that the present inventionprovides a vending machine wherein by the provision of a single coincontrolling mechanism'a plurality of selectively operable venders may beactuated. The machine particularly provides for a very close control ofits operation, preventing particularly unauthorized or duplicateoperations or other forms of actuation which do not involve the placingof a coin of proper denomination in the ma-.

chine. All slot orvending machines are subject to improper operation bythe use of slugs, checks or an understanding of various mechanicalmotions which give rise to fraudulent operations, which reduce theprofits of the owners or lessees. In View of the foregoing it will beseen that in carrying out the "present'invention the mechanism has beendesigned as to reduce to a minimum the so possibility of unwarranted,unlawful or surreptitious operation and yet to accomplish this by meansof simple, positive and economical features of construction capable ofimparting extended service Without liability of mechanical disorder andthe need for frequent repair.

While I have described what I consider to be the preferred form of thepresent invention, nevertheless it will be understood that variationsand modifications of the structure herein disclosed and specificallydescribed may be made. from time to time without departing from thescope and spirit of the in vention as the latter has been expressed inthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine, a casing provided with a plurality of articlereceiving compartments, rotatable trough members situated in the bottomof said compartments,

movable locking fingers interposed between may drop to an said membersand normally'holdingthe lat-' a locking bar movable position ofmovementserving to permit of an axially disposed limited movement on thepart of said fingers so that one of said trough members may be revolvedto an article discharging position,- the remaining trough members beingheld by said fingers in locked or non-rotative positions.

2. In a vending machine, a casing provided with a plurality of articlereceiving compartments, a rotatable trough member arranged in the bottomof each of said compartments and adapted to receive the lowermostarticle within each of the compartments, means for rotatably supportingsaid trough members for movement about their longitudinal axes, anaxially .disposed head provided at one end of each of said troughmembers, spring means cooperative with said head and normally serving tomaintain the trough member within each compartment in an articlereceiving position, and a coin controlled release mechanism cooperativewith said members to permit upon any given operation of the release androtation of any one of said trough members, the balance of said troughmembers being held in locked position.

3. In a vending machine, a casing provided with a plurality of articlereceiving compartments, rotatable trough members situated in the bottomof said compartments, an axially disposed head provided atone end ofeach of said trough members, a web formed with each of said heads,movable locking fingers interposed between said members and engaging oneside ofsaid web so as to hold said members normally against rotation, alocking bar movable in unison with said fingers, and a coin controlledmechanism permitting of the release of. said locking bar so that saidbar and fingers may be moved by the rotation of a selected trough memberpermitting the latter to be revolved to an article discharging position,theremaining trough members being held from rotation by said fingersmoving into engagement with the other side of said webs. I

. 4. In a vending machine, a casing provided with a plurality of articlereceiving compartments, a rotatable trough member arranged in the bottomof each of said compartments and adapted to receive the lowermostarticle within each of the compartments, means for rotatably supportingsaid trough members for movement about their longitudinal axes, headprovided at one end of each of said trough members, an elon ated webformed with each of said heads an normally extending in a verticalposition, pivoted locking fingers interposed between said members havingweb engaging surfaces on each side thereof, one of said surfaces beingin engagement with said webs and normally holding said members fromrotation, a locking bar movable in unison with said fingers, and a coincontrolled mechanism permitting of-the release of said locking bar sothat said bar and fingers may be moved a limited extent to a positionpermitting ofthe rotation of one of the selected trough members, the

balance of said trough members bein held from rotation by the positionof saidngers with respect to said webs. I 5. In" a vending machine, aplurality of article receiving compartments." rotatable vendors situatedin the bottom ofsaid com: partments, "movable locking fingers interposedbetween said- Vendors and normally holding the latter against rotation,a locking bar movabl'e in unison'with said fingers, a single coincontrolled mechanism for releasing said bar and fingers for permittingof the rotation of a selected vendor, and means for locking the bar anda selected vendor against return movement to an initial position untilsuch vendor has been moved to a position of article discharge.

6. In a vending machine, a plurality of article receiving compartments;rotatable vendors situated in the bottom of said com- Y partments,pivoted locking fingers interposed between said vendors, one of saidngersbeing'formed with an upwardly directed extension, a slidablelocking bar having engagement with said extension, spring means actingon said bar serving to hold said fingers in a position to normallyprevent rotation of said vendors, and a coin controlled mechanismincluding apivoted detent associated with said bar and which normallyserves to lock the latter and prevent operation of said vendors but whenupon the insertion of a coin in said mechanism will be released fromsaid bar and permit the latter to move a limited extent so that one ofsaid vendors may ing position, the balance of said vendors being held ina locked position.

7. In a vending machine, a merchandise container divided into aplurality of article receiving compartments, a rotatable trough memberarranged in the bottom of each of saidcompartments and adapted toreceive the lowermost article within each of the compartments, means forrotatably supporting said trough members for movement about theirlongitudinal axes, a slidable locking bar, means associated with saidbar and trough members and serving normally to hold the latter againstrotation, mechanism permitting of-the release of said locking bar sothatsaid bar may be moved a limited extent to a position permitting of therotation of a selected trough member, the

be moved to an article dischargand a coin controlled movable lockingelements associated with said bar and extensions, and a com controlledmechanism permitting of the movement of said locking bar to a troughreleasing position, said locking bar when in an extreme position ofmovement serving to permit of the rotation of one selected troughmember, the balance of said trough members being held against rotationby the position of said bar and locking elements.

9. In a vending machine, a plurality of article receiving compartments,rotatable vendors situated in the bottom of said compartments. movablelocking elements interposed between said vendors, a locking bar movablein unison with said elements, and a single coin controlled mechanism forreleasing said bar for permitting of therotation of a selected vendor,the remainder of said vendors being held against rotation by thepositionof said bar and locking elements.

10. In a vending machine, a plurality of article receiving compartments,rotatable vendors situated in the bottom of said compartments, a memberformed with one end of each of said vendors, movable locking meansinterposed between'said members and engaging the latter, a locking barcontrolling the movements of said elements and vendors, and a singlecoin controlled mechanism for releasing said bar efi'ectingthe movementof said elements for permitting of the rotation of the selected vendorand for holding the remaining vendors against rotation.

11. In a vending machine, a plurality of article receiving compartments,a rotatable vendor positioned in the bottom of each of said compartmentsand adapted to receive the lowermost article therein, trunnions formedat the ends ofsaid vendors for rotatably supporting said vendors formove ment about their longitudinal axes, a member formed at one end ofeach of said vendors and extending laterally of one of the trunnions,substantially vertically positioned locking elements interposed betweensaid members for movable engagement therewith and which normally serveto lock the vendors against rotation, a horizontally arranged memberforkeeping said locking elements in their relative positions, and a comcontrolled GEORGE E. NORRIS.

